title: A combined natural supplement lowers LDL cholesterol in subjects with moderate untreated hypercholesterolemia: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of a natural cholesterol-lowering supplement (NCLS) containing red yeast rice, policosanols and artichoke leaf extracts on blood lipid concentrations as well as on safety parameters when given over 16 weeks in 100 volunteers with untreated moderate hypercholesterolemia, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reduction of primary outcome low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [-0.22 g/L (95% confidence interval, CI: -0.31 to -0.12) corresponding to -14.3% from baseline (95% CI: -21.5 to -7.2) compared to placebo], as well as total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B100 and apolipoprotein B100/apolipoprotein A-I ratio, were observed after 16 weeks of supplementation with NCLS. These effects were already observed at Week 4 and 10 of supplementation. No significant changes were observed in high-density lipoprotein, triacylglycerol, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and coenzyme Q10 levels, as well as in markers of liver and renal function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The NCLS was effective in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B100 in subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia, without modifying safety parameters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Development, Laboratoire Lescuyer , Aytré , France .
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Barrat
authors.forename: Yassine
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zaïr
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ogier
authors.forename: Béatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Housez
authors.forename: Coralie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vergara
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maudet
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Lescuyer
authors.forename: Jean-Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bard
authors.forename: Yvon A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Carpentier
authors.forename: Murielle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cazaubiel
authors.forename: Sébastien L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Peltier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000097:blood; D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100 / Q000097:blood*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D031943:Cynara scolymus; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005233:Fatty Alcohols / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100; D001688:Biological Products; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D005233:Fatty Alcohols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014280:Triglycerides; C117343:red yeast rice; C080710:policosanol; D002784:Cholesterol